When Kountze Police Chief Andy Trahan first learned of a theft in the evidence locker at his station, it seemed apparent that it was from someone inside the department. His first move was to contact the Texas Rangers, for an external investigation. "The reason for this," said Trahan, "is to insure that the proper procedures are taken and that there is no question of integrity."

The Texas Rangers gathered enough information and evidence for probable cause to arrest officer Donald Smith for theft by a public servant.

The official statement, Court docket number 2012-31543 follows:

"My name is Kenneth Parks and I am commissioned as a peace officer by Texas Department of Public Safety, Texas Ranger Division. I hereby state upon my oath and I have reason to believe and do believe that heretofore, and before the making and filing of this Complaint, that

Donald Allen Smith, (white male, Date of Birth 5/20/1963) on or about the 15th day of May, 2012, in Hardin County, Texas, did then and there commit the offense of Theft in violation of PC 31.03(f) against the laws of the State.

My probable cause for said belief and accusation is as follows: on 10-11-2012, Ranger Parks was contacted by Kountze Chief of Police Andy Trahan in reference to two thousand dollars ($2000.00) in United State currency that was missing from the Kountze Police Department evidence room. Ranger Parks met with Chief Trahan on 10-16-2012 and initiated an investigation into the mission property. Ranger Parks discovered the evidence had been placed into the Kountze Police Department evidence room on 05-20-2011 and had remained there until 10-15-2012 when the currency was discovered missing by Chief Trahan. Ranger Parks determined there were five employees of the Kountze Police Department who had access to the evidence room from May 20, 2011 to October 15, 2012. Ranger Parks interviewed each of the five persons who had access to the evidence room and observed several discrepancies in the interview of Donald Smith. Ranger Parks asked Donald Smith if he would be willing to submit to a polygraph examination and Smith indicated he would voluntarily submit to the polygraph examination. On 10-23-2012, a polygraph examination was conducted by Texas Department of Public Safety Office in Beaumont, Texas. Prior to the test, Smith was admonished of his rights verbally and in writing and Smith signed a statement waiving his rights. The results of the test showed Smith was being deceptive. During an interview of Smith following the polygraph test, Smith confessed that in May 2012, (Smith could not recall the exact date) Smith had entered the evidence room to retrieve an item of evidence on an unrelated case. While in the evidence room, Smith declared he opened the evidence bag containing the currency and took the two thousand dollars ($2000.00) from the evidence bag and left the evidence room. Smith indicated he used the monies to pay personal unpaid bills."

According to Judge T. J. Hall, the charge is a 3rd degree felony. He also said Smith posted bond this morning and was released, and the case would be turned over to District Attorney David Sheffield.

Sheffield said, "We have to take a look at the case, and prepare it for the Grand Jury." After that more information will be forthcoming.

Chief Trahan was obviously saddened by the event stating, "the department is in shock over what has happened, but I assure you the officers here will be held to the same standards –even higher standards - than anyone else."